Andrew Petty and Stagecoach RV Park came into the world the same year—and they’ve been inseparable since. In 1985, Andrew’s grandfather turned a piece of family farmland in St. Augustine into a safe haven for highway travelers. Decades later, Andrew carries on his grandfather’s vision, blending family tradition with a deep commitment to keeping guests safe, even through Florida’s unpredictable weather.
“Stagecoach RV sits on land my grandfather bought back in the ’40s,” Andrew began. “He bought it after he was in the service, after the war. He bought about 2,000 acres here and started growing potatoes. At one point, he was the largest supplier for Lay’s Potato Chips.”
In the early ’80s, Andrew’s grandfather decided to turn a small portion of the farmland into a campground.
“At the time, there was nothing out near the highway,” Andrew remembered. “There were RV parks at the beach or closer to town, but there was no respite for travelers near the highway. So he decided to fill that gap.”
As with everything his grandfather did, the process was thoughtful and methodical. “He even took a trip around the Southeast, visiting campgrounds to figure out what he liked and didn’t like,” Andrew shared. “It wasn’t built all at once. He worked on it in phases as he had the time and money.”
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For Andrew, growing up at Stagecoach RV meant learning the business from the ground up—literally. “We were mowing grass, cleaning bathhouses, and picking up trash as kids,” Andrew recalled. “At first, we got paid in crackers and soda. Eventually, we earned a dollar an hour. It wasn’t glamorous, but it taught us a lot.”
Now, decades later, Andrew reflects on how those early experiences shaped him. “I joke that I’ve been pushing the same broom for over 30 years,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve done every job there is here—maintenance, cleaning, running the office, you name it. That’s what it takes in a family business. You learn to do it all.”
But those years of hands-on experience shaped how Andrew runs Stagecoach today, making sure every detail contributes to a welcoming, home-away-from-home experience for his guests.
A few years ago, Andrew’s wife, Margaret, joined the family business, bringing her own skill set to the table and strengthening the park's family-focused atmosphere. Whether guests are greeted by Andrew, Margaret, or another member of their team, they immediately feel the personal care that sets Stagecoach apart.
“I think people like that we’re still family-owned,” Andrew said. “When you call us or visit, you’re talking to the folks who run the place. We’re a quiet, laid-back park, and people really appreciate that atmosphere.”
Stagecoach’s seasonal snowbirds play a big role in its sense of community as well.
“We have a lot of regulars who come back every year,” Andrew shared. “Growing up, many of them felt like another set of grandparents for me. They’d stay for months at a time—year after year, same sites, same dates—and we’d get to know them really well. Those relationships are special to us.”
While the trends have shifted and more snowbirds are moving between parks rather than staying in one spot all season, Andrew says the park is still as busy as ever. “It just means a little more work on our end to figure out the puzzle of who’s staying where and when,” he explained.
But he’s willing to put in the work because for Andrew, taking care of his guests means being prepared for challenges big and small, from daily needs to severe weather.
Running a park in Florida means being prepared for storms, and Andrew takes that responsibility seriously. For him, guest safety starts with clear communication.
“A lot of our guests aren’t from Florida, so they’re not used to dealing with hurricanes,” Andrew said. “We keep them informed about what’s happening, what the county is saying, and what steps they should take. If there’s an evacuation order anywhere in our county it automatically includes all RVs and boats anywhere. In that instance, we have to evacuate the whole park. So, really, we try to steer folks toward planning ahead and maybe evacuating themselves. We don’t want people on the road when there’s a storm starting, especially if the county waits too late to make the call.”
While Andrew stays informed through county updates, he admits that information doesn’t always come out as quickly or consistently as he’d like. To fill in the gaps, he relies on the relationships he’s built with other park owners in the area.
“During one storm, another park owner saw an evacuation notice in their email before I did and called to give us a heads-up,” he said. “That’s why those relationships with other parks are so important. I don’t even like to call them competitors—there’s enough business for all of us. Helping each other just makes sense.”
Andrew also supplements county updates with other sources such as local news and social media groups. “You just can’t rely on one source of information,” he advised. “The more connected you are, the better prepared you’ll be.”
With many of their guests living full-time in their RVs, Andrew knows the stakes are high. For some, losing their RV would mean losing their home. That’s why Andrew and his team work tirelessly to make sure everyone stays informed and safe.
When storms roll in or plans change, clear and immediate communication is key—and that’s where CampLife’s SMS Texting feature can make a big difference. For a park like Stagecoach RV, where many guests aren’t local and may not be familiar with Florida weather, having a quick and reliable way to share updates is invaluable.
Whether it’s evacuation notices, weather alerts, or reminders about park events, texting gives park owners a direct line to their guests when it matters most. With 95% of text messages read within three minutes, it’s one of the most effective ways to ensure critical information is received in real-time.
From preserving his family’s legacy to staying prepared for unexpected challenges, Andrew Petty is committed to running a campground with heart. And CampLife is proud to provide tools like SMS Texting to help park owners like him extend that care, making sure guests feel supported and ready to enjoy all that Stagecoach RV—and St. Augustine—have to offer.
Ready to improve communication at your park? CampLife customers can reach out to our Customer Success team today to learn how to start using SMS Texting.
If you’re not yet a CampLife customer, we’d love to show you how this tool—and our entire suite of features—can simplify your operations and keep your guests connected. Reach out to learn more.
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